Casimir

Casimir A. Bierzychudek, 75, of Lakeview, Ark., a native of Chicago and longtime resident of Calumet Park, died Monday. Mr. Bierzychudek, an architect, was a Seabee in World War II. He is survived by his wife, Gladys; a son, Thomas; two daughters, Paulette Reiness and Susan Bierzychudek; a sister; two brothers; and four grandchildren. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Opyt-Brown Funeral Home, 144th Street and Indiana Avenue, Riverdale.

On Monday, the city of Chicago and Cook County will observe Casimir Pulaski Day, a holiday in honor of the Polish-born cavalry officer fatally wounded in the Revolutionary War. Following is a partial list of closings. Schools: In suburbs, check your school district for closings. (Chicago schools are open.) Libraries: All Chicago public libraries Government offices: All city of Chicago and Cook County offices will close, but federal and state offices will remain open.

If there were just one thing worth noting about Walter Casimir Madrak, it would be that he loved the water. So much so that his friends and family often described the veteran rescue diver who trained the Chicago Fire Department's first underwater rescue team as having been "born with gills. " So much so that, as a 10-year-old, the Chicago native used to walk all the way from Bucktown to Lake Michigan, leaving in the morning for a day at North Avenue Beach and not returning until...

Rev. Casimir A. Pazera, 71, a priest and former Catholic school teacher in Chicago, died Wednesday. Father Pazera taught at Mendel Catholic High School and St. Rita High School in Chicago, where he was religious superior from 1971 to 1975. He also was computer manager at St. Rita. Father Pazera, a member of the Order of St. Augustine, also taught at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox. He is survived by three brothers, Francis, Vincent and George; and three sisters, Patricia Schaefer, Bernadette...

A bill declaring Casimir Pulaski an honorary citizen of the United States is heading to President Barack Obama's desk. Pulaski, who was born in Poland in 1745 and died in the U.S. Colonies' fight against the British in 1779, was a legendary cavalryman who is still respected as a brilliant military tactician. Pulaski will become the seventh foreigner given the distinction. The others: William Penn, a founder of the Pennsylvania colony, and his wife,...